Page 65 of Envy

“Right now, my DNA dripping between her thighs says otherwise,” I shoot back smoothly.

Laughter erupts around the table. The twins, Reid, Valen, and Alaric throw their heads back, their amusement filling the boardroom. Even old man Bedford chuckles. They all know what I mean.

Touch her, and I’ll kill you.

Clearing my throat, I shift my focus. “I have a matter to discuss.” My eyes flick to Valen, then to his father. Old man Vikiar is going to be pissed. But I don’t give a fuck.

It’s time.

“What is it?” Alaric’s grandfather asks, the room quieting as all eyes turn to me.

“There’s one son missing from this table,” I state, my voice measured but firm. “He needs to be here. It’s his birthright.”

“How dare you?” Valen’s father spits, his face going red, like he’s seconds from a heart attack.

The other elders glance at him, some raising their brows at his outburst. He quickly composes himself, adjusting his tie with a forced calm. Then, begrudgingly, he concedes.

“Yes, but he’s right.” Alarics’s grandfather turns to me and Valen, reluctant but resigned. “Next meeting, Garret. Valen. Bring him. He needs to be here, as his birthright.”

A slow smile spreads across my face.

Finally.

But John isn’t done.

“And the issue with the girl?” he prods, his voice sharp. “The Prey.”

I flick my gaze to thepiece of shit across the table. I wish I could end him now—but patience.

“What about her?” Bedford asks through a slow drag of his cigar, the smoke swirling like a raincloud above his head.

“He has to let her go if he can’t do what was asked,” John insists.

Reid’s gaze sharpens. I know exactly what he’s thinking.Kill him now and get it overwith. His eyes dart to mine. I give a subtle shake of my head.

Not yet.

I have a plan.

I’ve had one since Rose first arrived. I hated that she lied, but I knew something wasn’t right. Valen knew too. But we didn’t have proof—until now.

John bought her. The Order doesn’t condonehuman trafficking. Children are off-limits. It’s messy. Disgusting. But we still need evidence. Not that it matters—John doesn’t get a free pass. He’s already dead.

I promised Rose. I promised myself when I first laid eyes on her, when I first heard her snarky mouth. Rose was mine before she even knew she was.

“She’s chosen to stay, John,” I remind him. “She’s a student on campus. You know the rules. Besides, why do you care?”

“I’m her guardian,” he sneers.

“She’s an adult.”

“Who’s going to provide for her?” he challenges.

I will.

I have.

“It’s no trouble for Garret,” Bedford cuts in. “He has more money than you.” He leans back, tapping ash from his cigar.“Find another woman to park your dick in, John. I’m sure Mary won’t mind. Buy her a Rolls and a trip to the Maldives. She’ll look the other way.”

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